Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken Recipe

We’ve cooked up a whole lotta chicken recipes, but this one right here? It might just be one of our favorites. If you’ve been wondering how to get that perfect mix of sweet and heat like Qdoba Cholula Chicken does, you’re in the right place.

Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken is a grilled chicken dish marinated in a blend of Cholula hot sauce and sweet seasonings. It’s known for being juicy, tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet, making it a versatile protein for many dishes.

Stick around, ‘cause we’re gonna show you exactly how to make it at home-plus a few tips to get that same bold flavor every single time.

What Does Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken Taste Like?

This chicken brings the heat and the sweet all in one bite. The Cholula Hot Sauce gives it that smoky chili flavor without being overpowering.

Then there’s a drizzle of honey and lime to mellow it out, balancing the spice with a bright, sweet tang of this Qdoba Hot and Sweet Chicken.

The garlic and butter add richness, making the sauce cling to every bite of chicken. It’s bold, zesty, and totally addictive.

Ingredients Required for Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken Recipe

Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken
• ½ cup Cholula Original Hot Sauce
• 2 teaspoons honey (or ½ tsp more Super Sweet)
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• 2 teaspoons THM Super Sweet (or your fave sweetener)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon mineral salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Simply can use Qdoba Adobo Chicken for instant bowl.

Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need

1. Cutting board and sharp knife
2. Measuring spoons and cups
3. Medium mixing bowl
4. Ziploc bag or airtight container
5. Large skillet
6. Tongs or spatula

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Marinating Time: At least 4 hours (or overnight)
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Total Time: About 25 minutes (plus marinate time)
Yields: Serves about 4-6 people

Copycat Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken Recipe

Simply follow the steps given below to make your Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken at home

Step 1:
First things first-grab your chicken and chop it into nice, bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch chunks). Toss those into a Ziploc bag or any airtight container you have handy.

Step 2:
Now let’s get that flavor going. In a medium bowl, whisk together the Cholula hot sauce, honey, lime juice, sweetener, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. This mix is gonna be your marinade magic.

Step 3:
Pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal it up tight and give it a good shake or stir to make sure everything is coated evenly. Then place it in the fridge for at least 4 hours-overnight is even better if you’ve got the time. The longer it sits, the more flavor it soaks up!

Step 4:
When you’re ready to cook, heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, dump the chicken and all that marinade straight into the pan. Don’t drain it-you want all that saucy goodness in there!

Step 5:
Cook it up, stirring every so often so the chicken browns up nicely and doesn’t stick. You’re looking for a bit of char on the edges-that’s where the flavor lives! Keep cooking until the chicken is fully done (internal temp should hit 165°F).

Step 6:
Right at the end, drop in the butter and stir it through the chicken. It’ll melt into the sauce and make everything rich and glossy. That’s the final touch!

Now serve this Qdoba Sweet and Spicy Chicken hot and fresh! Over rice, in tacos, or even stuffed in a wrap-this one’s a crowd-pleaser.

Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken

1. In a Rice Bowl (Our Favorite Go-To)
We’ve piled this chicken high over a bowl of warm cilantro-lime Qdoba White Rice, added some black beans, corn, and a scoop of Qdoba Guacamole-chef’s kiss! It’s just like your favorite Qdoba bowl, but homemade and even better.

2. Tucked Into Soft Tacos
Soft flour tortillas, a little shredded lettuce, some crumbled queso fresco, and this hot & sweet chicken-boom, taco night leveled up. We’ve even done a taco bar with it, and it’s always the first thing gone.

3. Stuffed Into a Burrito
This chicken rolled up with rice, black beans, cheese, and sour cream? Let’s just say we’ve made some monster burritos that disappeared fast. Wrap it tight and toast it for that crispy edge-SO good.

4. On a Fresh Salad
When we’re feelin’ like lightening things up, we toss this chicken over a bed of crisp romaine, add avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, and a little ranch or lime vinaigrette. Sweet, spicy, and super refreshing!

5. With Grilled Veggies
One night we tossed some zucchini, bell peppers, and onions on the grill while the chicken cooked-and WOW. The charred veggies soaked up all that saucy goodness from the plate. It’s a keeper.

6. In a Quesadilla
We’ve shredded the cooked chicken, sprinkled it with melty cheese between tortillas, and pan-toasted it until golden. Serve it with sour cream or salsa on the side-makes an awesome quick lunch or dinner.

7. Over Cauliflower Rice (Low Carb Style)
If you’re skipping the carbs, this chicken shines just as bright over cauliflower rice. Add a squeeze of lime and some chopped cilantro and it tastes just as amazing-promise!

8. With Cornbread on the Side
We tried this one a little randomly, but trust us-sweet buttery cornbread + spicy chicken = a flavor combo made in Southern heaven. Definitely one to try when you want comfort food with a twist.

9. On a Sandwich or Slider
Shred the chicken a little, load it on a brioche bun with some slaw or pickles, and you’ve got one heck of a hot chicken sandwich. We did sliders for game day once-total crowd pleaser.

10. Topped on Loaded Nachos
One of our favorite “fun night” dinners-layer tortilla chips with cheese, black beans, and this chicken, then bake it until bubbly. Top with sour cream, jalapeños, and maybe a drizzle of ranch. You won’t wanna share.

Some Tips on This Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken Recipe

1. Cut the chicken even
I like to cut all the chicken pieces about the same size. This way, they cook evenly and nobody ends up with a chewy piece.

2. Don’t skip the marinating
Trust me on this-letting the chicken sit in the marinade for a few hours makes all the difference. It gets so juicy and full of flavor!

3. Use a Ziploc bag
I put the chicken and marinade in a big Ziploc bag. It’s easy to mix up, and cleanup is a breeze.

4. Let the skillet get hot first
Before adding the chicken, I always make sure the skillet is nice and hot. That’s how you get those tasty little charred bits.

5. Don’t crowd the pan
If your pan is too full, the chicken won’t brown-it’ll just steam. I cook in batches if I need to.

6. Stir it often
I keep stirring the chicken so it cooks on all sides and doesn’t stick. Plus, it helps spread the flavor around.

7. Add butter at the end
That butter at the end makes the sauce rich and smooth. I don’t skip it-it really brings the whole thing together.

8. Taste before serving
Right before I serve, I taste a little piece to check if it needs a pinch more salt or lime. Sometimes just a tiny bit more makes it perfect!

9. Great for meal prep
I make extra and keep it in the fridge. It’s awesome on salads, in tacos, or just with rice the next day.

10. Try it in a wrap
One time, I made a wrap with this chicken, some lettuce, and a little sour cream. Oh wow-it was so good!

How to Store and Reheat Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken

Got leftovers? Just let the chicken cool down, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat it in a skillet or microwave. And yes, it freezes well too! Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Common Queries on This Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken Recipe

Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken that people often ask.

1. What is in Qdoba Cholula chicken?

From what we’ve tasted and recreated at home, Qdoba’s Cholula chicken is a mix of tender, juicy chicken breast marinated in Cholula Original Hot Sauce, honey, lime juice, and a blend of spices. We added a touch of sweetener, garlic powder, and butter to round out the flavor-bold, sweet, and just a little spicy!

2. Is the Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken spicy?

It’s got a little kick, for sure, but it’s not mouth-on-fire spicy. The Cholula brings in a smoky chili heat, but the honey and lime balance it out beautifully. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can tone it down by using less hot sauce-but we find the heat is part of what makes this chicken so crave-worthy.

3. How to make honey Cholula chicken?

Super simple! Just mix Cholula hot sauce, honey, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and a sweetener, then marinate your chicken in it for a few hours. Once it’s good and soaked in flavor, cook it in a hot skillet until it’s slightly charred and cooked through. Stir in a little butter at the end-that’s our secret to getting the sauce extra silky.

4. Can I use a different hot sauce?

You could, but Cholula has that distinct smoky flavor that really defines this dish. If you need to substitute, go for a milder Mexican-style hot sauce-not something super vinegary like Tabasco. But honestly? We recommend sticking with Cholula if you want that authentic flavor.

5. Do I have to marinate it overnight?

Nope, but the longer you marinate, the more flavorful it gets. We recommend at least 4 hours, but if you’re in a rush, even 1–2 hours can work in a pinch. That said, overnight makes it extra tasty-totally worth the wait.

6. Is this recipe low-carb or keto-friendly?

It definitely can be! Just swap the honey for more THM Super Sweet or your favorite keto-friendly sweetener. That way, you still get the sweet-heat combo without the added sugar.

7. What can I serve with Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken?

So many options! We love it over steamed rice, in burrito bowls, stuffed into tacos, or even tossed on a fresh salad. It’s also awesome with roasted veggies or in a lettuce wrap if you’re keeping it light.

8. Can I grill the chicken instead of using a skillet?

Absolutely! Grilling adds an extra layer of smoky flavor that works so well with this marinade. Just thread the chicken onto skewers or toss it right on the grill grates. Baste with a little extra marinade while it cooks for maximum flavor.

9. How do I know when the chicken is done?

We always go by temp-when it hits 165°F internally, you’re good to go. But if you don’t have a meat thermometer, just cut into a piece-it should be white and juicy, with no pink in the center.

10. How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Just pop any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm it in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to loosen up the sauce, or microwave it until hot. It also freezes like a champ-perfect for meal prep!

There you have it-Qdoba Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken, made easy right in your own kitchen. It’s spicy, it’s sweet, and it’s seriously good. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or whipping up something fun for taco night, this recipe is gonna be a winner. Try it once, and you’ll be hooked!

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